YouTube Sponsorship
Rate Card
A free template, pricing guide, and calculator to create a professional YouTube sponsorship rate card brands actually respond to.
What Is a YouTube Sponsorship Rate Card?
A YouTube sponsorship rate card is a one-page pricing document you send to brands or marketing managers who want to know how much it costs to sponsor your channel. It lists your rates for each placement type — Shorts mention, 30-second integration, 60-second integration, and dedicated video — along with any add-on fees for exclusivity or usage rights.
Unlike a full media kit (which covers your channel story, audience demographics, and past partnerships), a rate card is purely transactional. Brands use it to quickly determine if you fit their campaign budget before reaching out. A professional rate card with specific numbers converts significantly better than "contact me for pricing."
Before you build your rate card:
Calculate your data-backed rates first using the free calculator, then use those numbers to fill in your rate card. Never guess your rates — brands can tell when numbers aren't based on real CPM data.
Rate Card vs Media Kit: What's the Difference?
| Rate Card | Media Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Quick pricing reference | Full brand partnership pitch |
| Length | 1 page | 3–8 pages |
| Contains | Placement prices, add-ons | Stats, audience, past brands, pricing |
| When to send | When brand asks "what are your rates?" | First outreach or formal pitch |
| Format | PDF table or simple doc | Designed PDF or website page |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 6–12 months |
Tip: Include your rate card as the final page of your media kit so brands have both in one document.
Free YouTube Sponsorship Rate Card Template
Copy this template and fill in your own numbers. Replace items in [brackets] with your actual data.
[Your Channel Name]
youtube.com/c/[yourchannel] · [Niche] Creator
Sponsorship Rate Card
Updated June 2026
Subscribers
[X,XXX]
Avg. Views/Video
[X,XXX]
Engagement Rate
[X.X%]
Top Audience
[USA — XX%]
Placement Pricing
Shorts Brand Mention
< 60 sec Short · Brand callout, product shot, link in bio
$[XXX]
30-Second Integration
Mid-roll segment · Standard read, 1 revision included
$[X,XXX]
60-Second Integration
Pre or mid-roll · Demo/review segment, 1 revision included
$[X,XXX]
Dedicated Video
Full video · Entire video for sponsor, 2 revisions included
$[X,XXX]
Add-On Fees
Exclusivity
+25%
No competitor brands for 30 days
Usage Rights
+50%
Repurpose video as paid ads
Rush (<2 wks)
+25%
Expedited production timeline
Standard Deliverables
- ✓ Script/talking points approval before recording
- ✓ FTC disclosure included per advertising guidelines
- ✓ Video goes live within [X] business days of approval
- ✓ Performance report (views, CTR) sent 30 days post-publish
- ✓ Net-30 payment terms via invoice
Contact
[your@email.com]
Response within 24 business hours
Rates valid through December 2026 · Q4 surcharge applies Oct–Dec
What to Include in Your YouTube Rate Card
Channel stats (required)
- Subscriber count
- Average views per video (last 30 days)
- Engagement rate (likes + comments ÷ views × 100)
- Upload frequency
Audience demographics (required)
- Top 3 countries + percentage
- Age range (e.g., 18–34: 64%)
- Gender split
- Key interests/keywords from YouTube Studio
Placement pricing (required)
- Shorts mention rate
- 30-second integration rate
- 60-second integration rate
- Dedicated video rate
Add-on pricing (strongly recommended)
- Exclusivity fee (+25%)
- Usage rights fee (+50%)
- Rush fee (+25%)
- Package deals (multi-video discount)
What brands receive (builds trust)
- Script approval process
- Number of revisions included
- Turnaround time
- Post-publish performance report
Administrative details
- Contact email
- Preferred payment terms (Net-30)
- Rate validity date
- Link to your media kit for full stats
Step 1: Calculate Your Rates Before Building Your Rate Card
Enter your channel stats and get your conservative, recommended, and premium rates for each placement type. Then use those numbers in your rate card template above.
YouTube Sponsorship Rate Card Benchmarks (30s Integration, Global Audience)
Use this table to sanity-check your rates before publishing your rate card. These are recommended rates — quote your premium rate (2.2× recommended) as your opening ask.
| Avg. Views | Entertainment | Gaming | Tech | Finance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | $100 | $150 | $225 | $500 |
| 10,000 | $200 | $300 | $450 | $1,000 |
| 25,000 | $500 | $750 | $1,125 | $2,500 |
| 50,000 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,250 | $5,000 |
| 100,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,500 | $10,000 |
| 250,000 | $5,000 | $7,500 | $11,250 | $25,000 |
Global audience assumed. US-heavy channels (60%+ US viewers): multiply by 1.8×.
Other placements: 60s = rate × 1.4, Dedicated = rate × 2.0, Shorts = rate × 0.3.
Rate Card Placement Types Explained
Shorts Brand Mention
0.3× your base rateA brand mention or product callout within a YouTube Short (under 60 seconds). Usually includes showing the product, a link in bio, and a verbal mention. Growing in popularity as Shorts reach scales — bundle with long-form for package deals.
Example: 10K avg Shorts views, Tech niche → $135 per Shorts mention
30-Second Integration
1.0× (your base rate)The industry-standard sponsorship format. A 30-second mid-roll or pre-roll segment that introduces the brand, highlights a feature or offer, and includes a call to action (promo code or link). This is your baseline rate that all other placements are priced relative to.
Example: 10K avg views, Tech niche, US-heavy audience → $810 per 30s integration
60-Second Integration
1.4× your base rateA longer segment that allows for demonstration, storytelling, or a more detailed product walkthrough. Preferred by brands selling products that require explanation — SaaS tools, supplements, finance apps. Charges a 40% premium over the 30s rate.
Example: 10K avg views, Finance niche → $1,400 per 60s integration
Dedicated Video
2.0× your base rateThe entire video is produced for and about the sponsor's product. This is the highest-value placement because the brand gets 100% of your audience's attention for the full video length. Typically requires brand approval of the concept and script before filming.
Example: 10K avg views, Gaming niche → $600 per dedicated video
Rate Card Best Practices
List your recommended rate, not your minimum.
Your rate card price is your opening position, not your floor. You can negotiate down from your recommended rate — you can never negotiate up from a minimum you already disclosed.
Add a Q4 surcharge note.
Include a line: "Q4 campaigns (Oct–Dec) are subject to a 25% seasonal premium." This is industry-standard and brands expect it. Finance and consumer brands are the most aggressive Q4 spenders.
Include your last 30-day average views, not your all-time best.
Brands will verify your views in YouTube Studio or Social Blade. Using inflated view counts damages trust before the deal even starts. Consistent creators who show stable view history close more deals.
Never charge below your conservative rate.
The conservative rate (55% of recommended) is your absolute floor — the lowest price where the deal is financially worthwhile. Going below this means the brand is getting more value than you are, which affects how they price future renewals.
Offer a multi-video package discount.
A 3-video bundle at 2.5× your single video rate (not 3×) gives brands a reason to commit to multiple campaigns while giving you predictable income and less time spent on individual deal negotiations.
YouTube Rate Card FAQs
What is a YouTube sponsorship rate card?
What should a YouTube rate card include?
What is the difference between a YouTube media kit and a rate card?
How much should I put on my YouTube sponsorship rate card?
Should I list specific prices or "contact for rates" on my rate card?
How do I share a YouTube rate card with brands?
How often should I update my YouTube rate card?
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